LIMPOPO – The Acting Provincial Saps Commissioner Major General Jan Scheepers has once more condemned the continuous acts of vigilantism and mob-related killings in the Limpopo.
He had noted the two latest incidents with shock and disbelief, especially considering the brutality that characterised the killing of both people, the assaults on the survivors, and the trend of this type of incident.
This followed two separate mob-related incidents which took place in the Polokwane CBD and Botlokwa areas this weekend.
In the first incident two suspects, aged 32 and 34-years-old, were arrested for the kidnapping and murder of a 28-year-old woman from Mangata village, Botlokwa area, said Police Spokesperson, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
“It is alleged the deceased, identified as Ngwakoana Mokgokong, was kidnapped by a group of people who then took her to another area where she was severely assaulted. Police were alerted to the situation, reacted swiftly and rescued the seriously injured woman and took her to a hospital where she later died.”
According to investigations the deceased may earlier have opened a case of malicious damage to property against people in the village, however the motive of this incident will form part of a an investigation, he added.
The accused will appear before the local magistrate’s court today (Monday) on charges of murder and public violence.
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In the second mob-related incident three people had to be rescued by the police after they were caught and assaulted on the corner Mandela and Rissik streets in Polokwane Central Business District (CBD), said Ngoepe.
“All three victims sustained multiple injuries and were taken to the hospital, where one of the victims later died. The other two other victims both sustained multiple serious wounds throughout their bodies and are still recuperating in the hospital.”
The suspects in this matter are still unknown and the police have urged anyone who can assist with information about this incident, to contact Brigadier James Espach at 0825760743, the nearest Police Station, to call the crime stop number 0860010111 or the crime line sms 32211.
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People in these communities are urged to to refrain from taking the law into their hands and to remain calm and allow the police time and space to investigate this incidents fully. “Those who do not heed these warnings and become involved in criminal acts such as assault, destruction of properties and killings, will face the consequeneces by going to jail, reiterated Genl Sheepers.
